LEADING CHANGE IN THE CAPITAL REGION: Ian Graeme, community champion demonstrated the “Power of One” in galvanizing action that ultimately resulted in the Bowker Creek Blueprint for urban watershed restoration
“Five generations of my family have lived in Victoria. As a child, Bowker Creek was a place to explore and cultivate my curiosity. In 1995, I got involved in a Local Area Plan that was under development in Saanich; and started advocating for changes in watershed and stream protection policies. To draw attention to the need for action, I organized a series of community walks and developed a ‘watershed tour’ slideshow and took it around the community,” recalls Ian Graeme.
LEADING CHANGE IN THE CAPITAL REGION: “Looking back, the Bowker Creek Forum in 2002 was THE turning point for community action to restore watershed health,” said Chris Jensen, a founding member of the Bowker Creek Initiative
“At university, I specialized in hydrology so I could learn how to achieve a balance between development and nature. I wanted to apply this knowledge locally and take it from theory to practice. I didn’t have to look any further than the watershed I live in for the opportunity to do so. Use whatever analogy you wish to use to describe the situation, the reality is that there had been a progressive deterioration in creek health and we were at the bottom of the curve,” stated Chris Jensen.
LEADING CHANGE IN THE CAPITAL REGION: Community Values Drive Bowker Creek Initiative and Blueprint – “For the Bowker Creek Blueprint to achieve what we want, watershed residents need to understand ourselves as part of the Bowker Creek story,” stated Gerald Harris, Bowker Creek Initiative
“I love the creek, and I was dismayed by its condition. I want it to be wholesome again. It was a brochure for a Bioengineering Workshop that caught my attention. It was an opportunity to become involved in a hands-on way. Working with others in the stream is a vital part for me. The experience taps something tribal in us. The stream restoration work is exciting. It is a tremendous bonding experience: These are my people and we are of this place. Working together along the creek is one kind of social glue for the committee members,” stated Gerald Harris.
LEADING CHANGE IN THE CAPITAL REGION: Community engagement drives Bowker Creek Initiative in the urban heartland of British Columbia’s Capital Region – “After reading the book Neighbor Power by Seattle’s Jim Diers, I was inspired to make a difference by engaging community through art events and education,” stated Soren Henrich
“I had been a director of a neighbourhood association. We were always reacting to development requests. We were in the front lines and this was taking a toll on me. It was not fun. And then I experienced an Ah-Ha moment. I realized then that my thing is Bowker Creek. I wanted to be able to answer the question: where is Bowker Creek. And I wanted to ask others: do you know that you live in a watershed,” recalled Soren Henrich.
BIGGER PIPES OR GREENER COMMUNITIES: “Green infrastructure practices offers a potential strategy for reducing the flood impacts of climate change in the Bowker Creek Watershed,” stated Chris Jensen, at a meeting of the Bowker Creek Initiative, when he presented the results of the hydrological assessment he completed as part of his Master’s research (April 2012)
“My Master’s program is the interface between what I do at the Ministry and my involvement in the community, My applied research has direct community application because I have used Bowker Creek as a case study. My focus is on how we can reduce our hydrologic footprint as the watershed redevelops. The results could have provincial significance,” stated Chris Jensen. His research indicates that in smaller urban watersheds, green infrastructure may play an important role in climate change adaptation.
Cowichan Valley Regional Board endorses Vancouver Island Inter-Regional Education Initiative
“Participation would support the Corporate Strategic Plan Goals to develop an environmental education plan with a focus on water, biodiversity and climate change; and ti develop water planning policies to guide community planning and development practices,” noted Mayor Jon Lefebure, Chair of the Regional Services Committee.
FLAGSHIP PROJECT IS A WATERSHED MOMENT: “The Oak Bay High creek restoration project is an excellent example of how collaboration between local governments, senior levels of government and the school district can produce such positive results for the entire community,” stated Nils Jensen, Mayor of Oak Bay, when Infrastructure Canada announced funding for the project (February 2012)
The reach of Bowker Creek through the Oak Bay High School site is currently contained in an open concrete channel, sustaining no aquatic life or native riparian habitat. The project will transform this section from a degraded, highly urbanized creek into a naturally functioning water environment. As well, it will provide an accessible, natural green space for students, residents and families alike. “This project demonstrates Oak Bay’s commitment to the preservation and enhancement of our natural environment,” stated Mayor Nils Jensen.
Mission Possible: CAVI and VIEA champion a 50-Year Vision for Vancouver Island
“Initiated in 2009, VIEA’s Linking Island Leaders Project found that a groundswell is building up and down the Island for regional collaboration. Collaboration with CAVI creates an opportunity for early success in moving forward with the Link Project. Together we can achieve much in all thing,” stated Rick Roberts, VIEA Past-Chair.
Regional District of Nanaimo Board endorses Vancouver Island Inter-Regional Education Initiative
“The initiative will focus on education, collaboration and sharing of ideas and experiences on water sustainability and rainwater management best practices. It provides another opportunity to assist local governments to better understand the relationships between watershed and stream and site development,” stated the staff report brought forward by CAO Carol Mason.
Vancouver Island Inter-Regional Education Initiative launched at Cowichan Forum on Sustainable Rainwater Management
Through collaboration and alignment of efforts, the goal is to ensure a consistent approach to rainwater management, one that mimics the water balance. By working together we can make a difference